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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Author Archives: skullsinthestars
4 days until the deadline for The Giant’s Shoulders #31!
There are just 4 days left until the deadline for the 31st edition of The Giant’s Shoulders, to be posted on the 16th of January at Morning Coffee Physics! Entries can be submitted through blogcarnival.com or directly to the host blog, … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Martin Cruz Smith’s Nightwing
It can take an author many years of writing to establish their own unique voice and style. Their early works are often a fascinating “what if” scenario, giving a glimpse of directions a well-known novelist may have alternatively taken. The … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Horror
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With Open Lab, today was a book trifecta!
I will quickly wear out my welcome with all my self-patting-on-the-back, but I can’t help point out that today was in essence a book trifecta for me! I already mentioned receiving the first copy of my book in my previous … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Personal
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First copy of Mathematical Methods for Optical Physics and Engineering arrived!
This morning was a personal milestone for me: the very first copy of my new textbook, Mathematical Methods for Optical Physics and Engineering, arrived at my office! I’m very excited, obviously! The book is now available through Amazon.co.uk for those … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Personal
26 Comments
Weird science facts, December 29-January 4
We’ve entered a new year for my Twitter #weirdscifacts! The previous week’s facts are below: 291. Dec 29: In the late 19th century, paleontologist O.C. Marsh speculated that stegosaurus had a second brain in its rear! This was no so … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
4 Comments
Which scientist would you most want to have a beer with?
I’m currently away from home at a meeting, so blogging is necessarily light. I’ve been thinking lately, however, about various scientists and people of reason throughout history that I just flat out admire, and got to wondering which of them … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Women in science
14 Comments
Margaret Cavendish’s The Blazing World (1666)
It is somewhat fascinating to note that certain genres of fiction have their beginnings much earlier than generally appreciated. Two years ago, I blogged about Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s unusual 1871 novel, The Coming Race, a utopian novel that counts as one … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
12 Comments
Weird science facts, December 22-December 28
With the holidays upon me, I haven’t had much time to blog, but I’ve made a special effort to keep up my Twitter #weirdscifacts! Here are the facts from December 22 through December 28. 284. Dec 22: Botanist David Douglass … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: Dr. SkySkull’s last post!
“Dr. SkySkull” selects several notable posts each week from a miscellany of ResearchBlogging.org categories. He blogs at Skulls in the Stars. Welcome to my final post as the “miscellaneous” ResearchBlogging content editor! After 1 1/2 years of showcasing some of … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Weird science facts, December 15-December 21
Here are the Twitter #weirdscifacts for December 15th through December 21st! 277. Dec 15: Thomas Midgley Jr., disabled engineer & chemist, died in 1944 when he was strangled by his self-designed bed pulley system. This one is as tragic as … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Skulls in the Stars 